Tortilla9

His confidence seems to have taken big leaps since RDM took over.

Doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency going forward.

I was watching the FSC broadcast of the match and the announcer (don't know who it was), said as teammates it must be frustrating to play with Danny. You never knew if he was going to ignore you or pass. He said it wasn't surprising that teammates got frustrated with him and why sometimes they stop running. Not saying I completely agree but I could see how it could be construed that way. My daughter played with a teammate who was Danny to a T. Quick, fast, loved to dribble but passing was a foreign word to her. My daughter on the other hand, an attacking CM, so she loves to pass and attack. She said she hated playing with her because you'd make the run over and over again and she'd pass to you one time out of 20. I told her it was the 20th time that might get you the goal. She gave me the eye roll and said that's not the point. According to her the teammate wasn't selfish, she was stupid but that's the bluntness of a 17 year old for you. She even mentioned that her youth coach told the player "at some point your teammates are going to stop making runs because you're not willing to work with them". It continued to such an extent that the player was benched for a few games to get it through her head. I know it's youth soccer but sometimes the basics need to be reinforced.

My daughter was watching the game late Sunday night. She hasn't watched much football the last few months. Her comments: 1. "Torres finally scored". Told her to quit being a hater. 2. "That one guy doesn't like to pass to Torres". I asked "Malouda?" Her response, "no, not him, the guy on the right, he doesn't pick his head up". I can't decide if it's true greed/selfishness or tunnel vision. Maybe a combination of all.

What has happened to Romeu? See him in training pics but he's not even on the bench anymore.

Can somebody post the ESPN post match interview? Can't access it in the US. Disregard I found it. The interviewer was a d*ck. Love how Nando called him an "expert". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAwbj0rTxE4

Top class support from the Chelsea faithful at SB and Torres seemed very aware and appreciative.

More RDM on the players rested: "They're all on board, they know what we have to achieve. It was a question of freshening up." "We faced a difficult task in a cup that was so important to us...We just did our job today."

RdM after the match: It will only work if all 25 players in the squad are going to be a little bit unselfish for the rest of the season. Tonight I feel for Andre.

Torres has only taken one PK in the PL. It was with LFC his first pre-season and he missed. He used to take them at Atleti but since he arrived in England he hasn't.

Baby steps.... didn't expect it to turn around over night. Don't expect it to turn around until the summer tbh.

New drinking game - everytime they show Frank on the bench. They're probably going to talk more about that then the game itself.

Its been so long since I last saw Kalou play for CFC. And Malouda not even on the bench. What's happened to Romeu?

Formation anybody?

I was thinking "get ready for all hell to break loose".

Last sidetrack and I'll drop out: great article about Kobe and his perseverance, stubborness, Kobe-ness from a writer who follows the Lakers regularly. This writer was recently named NBA writer of the year. What I love about Kobe is not just his physical skills/ability but his mental strength. Maybe a few CFC players need to sign up for the Kobe System (youtube the commercials). http://www.ocregister.com/sports/bryant-343303-mask-game.html "But Bynum is understanding Bryant's higher standards better than ever, and that's part of the leading-by-example undercurrent on every team Bryant has ever played on – same as it sticks with every fan who gets such a charge out of him being at his best when he feels his worst. Kobe does what he does ... and it shows you are capable of more, too. "It's an 'I'm not going to back down' type of attitude," Bryant said. "I don't care what happens or what kind of injury you sustain. If you're capable of playing, you should be out there and you should play. That's the kind of competitive edge that I want my guys to play with."

I was too lazy to type the name out tbh. Sidetrack - A few months ago, my daughter and I looked at the schedule, looked for good seats at a reasonable price, i.e. crappy opponent, and got tickets for the Lakers vs Minnesota game, first game after D-Wade broke Kobe's nose. My daughter already has 2 Kobe jerseys but needed a new one for the game. I'm a sucker and got her a new one. All I can say....Kobe is a beast and his desire to win is so palpable. After the game my daughter said, "He's kinda scary how intense he is, I like it". Let's see some intensity from the Chelsea professionals . Too much to ask for?

To expand on dBM7's post thinking about Kobe and Frank... Kobe is a Lakers legend and he is THE ALPHA DOG at the Lakers (he's Terry, Cole, Cech, Lampard, Drogba all rolled into one in that aspect) and has been since he was 18 years old (even if he wasn't ready). Even at 33 years old Kobe still amazes this long time Lakers supporter. There are days like dBM7 when I wonder why Kobe is being so freakin' selfish. But Kobe believes (and so do most Lakers supporters) that he is the best option for the Lakers to win. All he wants to do is win games and championships/rings. I respect that because I know as a Lakers fan it's not for lack of trying. Watching him this year, he's not done yet, his performance level hasn't dropped. In two years the Lakers will need to decide what to do with Kobe when his contract is up. Do you reward the legend with another contract or do you let him ride off into the sunset? Does he stick around a season too long and people start to question if he's lost a step? Does he walk away on his own terms at the highest level or does he walk away with people remembering the "old" Kobe? It will be a sad day when KBB walks away from the Lakers, similar to what many here feel about Frank and CFC. My head may say one thing but my heart will probably say another. Bottom line: Having Frank in the lineup, is he the best option for CFC to win?

I agree but what about an "untouchable"?

Been busy with work plus the negativity and fighting on the forum didn't make it too much fun here. Probably similar to the atmosphere at Cobham. I have to admit I wasn't overwhelmed by AVB but I do feel bad for him. I think he had his hands full from the beginning and he was swimming upstream from day one. There is a cleanout that needs to be done at CFC but nobody seems to be willing (or able) to do it. CFC seem unwilling/unable to move forward because they're constantly looking back to the Jose days. Those days are over and for the good of the club, MOVE FORWARD. Hiring and firing managers is masking the problem - this is an older squad set in their ways who believe they hold the power. It's like "Lord of the Flies" set in a London suburb. Roman needs to stop taking calls from the players. He needs to stop being their friend and draw a line. He pays them, they work for him, all of them need to STFU, quit talking to their friends in the media, and play football. Rant over. For Robbie's sake I wish him well but I would be surprised if this went well.

I said it months ago, the inmates are running the asylum. Fully expect di Matteo's reign to go just as well as AVB's did. What a bunch of arrogant pricks from the board to players. "Professionals" is a joke.

Is Mikel available?

Where's the entertainment in that? I say Bosingwa-Luiz-Cahill (throw the newbie in)-Ferreira. I kid. Nice boring defence would be completely ok.

Let's be honest Torres time under Ancelotti was awful. Why would Torres want to play under Ancelotti again? Why would his agent reach out to PSG? Doesn't pass the smell test.

Watched Steve Holland on CTV after the match. Said Torres has been strong in training. Said Torres has also been strong in finishing in training and has been doing extra finishing on his own. The volley off the crossbar off Frank - Steve shrugged like when its not happening its not happening.